Completed Event: Softball versus No. 2 Seed Oklahoma State on May 7, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 7
Final Score
Softball
0
vs No. 2 Seed Oklahoma State
7
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Softball Picks Up Two Commitments
6/30/2026 7:40 PM | Softball
Utility player Taegan Smith, pitcher Natalie Klenda join the Utes
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah softball team has inked two more players, with coach Amy Hogue announcing the addition of utility player Taegan Smith and pitcher Natalie Klenda.
Over the last three seasons at Weber State, Smith has crafted a .298 career average that included back-to-back seasons hitting over .300 in 2025 and 2026. She was an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention pick as a freshman in 2024, then followed that by earning another honorable mention selection in 2025. As a sophomore, her stat line included 53 hits and 38 runs, each of which put her in the top 10 in the Big Sky, to go with a .310 clip. She also helped the Wildcats capture the Big Sky Tournament Championship and earn the program's first NCAA Tournament win in 2025. Smith's 2026 campaign saw her post a .305/.346/.463 slash line, as well as 28 runs scored, nine extra base hits and 17 RBIs.
"Taegan's versatility and experience make her a great addition to our team," said Hogue. "She's a local player who I've watched play for nearly six years, and we're all thrilled to have her representing the Utes!"
In each of the last two years, Klenda has helped pitch the McLennan Highlanders to the NJCAA Division I World Series. As a freshman, she went 15-3 with a 1.87 ERA, including a 9-0 record in conference, and permitted only 83 hits in 101 innings on a squad that also took home the Southwest District B Tournament title. Those numbers earned her a first-team all-conference selection and she was also named an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. In 2026, she garnered second-team all-league status by going 16-7 with a 2.61 ERA. Klenda ended her McLennan career with a mark of 31-10 and a 2.30 ERA across nearly 250 innings.
"We're excited to welcome Natalie to our pitching staff," said Hogue. "She has the ability to command the ball in every zone and competes with outstanding control and consistency. With two years of experience under her belt, we are excited to see how we can utilize her in our pitching rotation."
These two additions boost Utah's transfer class to six players. The program has also added catcher Anya German, pitchers Lizzy Tommasini and Julianne Rose and outfielder Ashtyn Reichardt.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter |Instagram: @utahsoftball | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utessoftball).
Over the last three seasons at Weber State, Smith has crafted a .298 career average that included back-to-back seasons hitting over .300 in 2025 and 2026. She was an All-Big Sky Honorable Mention pick as a freshman in 2024, then followed that by earning another honorable mention selection in 2025. As a sophomore, her stat line included 53 hits and 38 runs, each of which put her in the top 10 in the Big Sky, to go with a .310 clip. She also helped the Wildcats capture the Big Sky Tournament Championship and earn the program's first NCAA Tournament win in 2025. Smith's 2026 campaign saw her post a .305/.346/.463 slash line, as well as 28 runs scored, nine extra base hits and 17 RBIs.
"Taegan's versatility and experience make her a great addition to our team," said Hogue. "She's a local player who I've watched play for nearly six years, and we're all thrilled to have her representing the Utes!"
In each of the last two years, Klenda has helped pitch the McLennan Highlanders to the NJCAA Division I World Series. As a freshman, she went 15-3 with a 1.87 ERA, including a 9-0 record in conference, and permitted only 83 hits in 101 innings on a squad that also took home the Southwest District B Tournament title. Those numbers earned her a first-team all-conference selection and she was also named an NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. In 2026, she garnered second-team all-league status by going 16-7 with a 2.61 ERA. Klenda ended her McLennan career with a mark of 31-10 and a 2.30 ERA across nearly 250 innings.
"We're excited to welcome Natalie to our pitching staff," said Hogue. "She has the ability to command the ball in every zone and competes with outstanding control and consistency. With two years of experience under her belt, we are excited to see how we can utilize her in our pitching rotation."
These two additions boost Utah's transfer class to six players. The program has also added catcher Anya German, pitchers Lizzy Tommasini and Julianne Rose and outfielder Ashtyn Reichardt.
FOLLOW THE UTES!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter |Instagram: @utahsoftball | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utessoftball).
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